North Korea Missile Testing Opportunity
A senior US military official mentioned on Saturday that Russia’s use of North Korean missiles during its offensive in Ukraine provides Pyongyang with a rare chance to assess the effectiveness of its weaponry in actual combat scenarios, potentially allowing them to glean insights to enhance their effectiveness.
“I can’t recall a recent instance where the North Korean military had such a practical testing ground as what the Russians are providing them with in Ukraine,” remarked General Charles Flynn, commanding general of the US Army Pacific.
This situation presents North Korea with a chance to acquire valuable insights into technical aspects, procedures, and the performance of munitions. Flynn emphasized on Saturday during his visit to the expansive US Army Garrison Humphreys, located approximately 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of Seoul, that the US will be closely monitoring how this situation evolves.
Flynn’s Concern and US Missile Deployment
Flynn expressed significant concern, shared by others, that North Korea may gain insights into their weapons that they wouldn’t have access to outside of a conflict situation like the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Flynn indicated that the US will soon deploy missile systems with mid-range capabilities to the Indo-Pacific region, although he refrained from providing specific details regarding timing or locations. This move could potentially provoke China, as it had previously cautioned US allies in the region about potential countermeasures if they agreed to host intermediate-range American missiles, as stated in 2019.
The US, along with South Korea and other nations, have accused North Korea of transferring its latest nuclear-capable ballistic missiles to Russia. These missiles, which are difficult to detect, deploy rapidly, and are challenging to intercept, are believed to be Hwasong-11s. According to weapons experts, the Hwasong-11s belong to a broad category of short-range ballistic missiles known for their ability to accurately target objectives.
North Korean Missiles in Ukraine
With ranges spanning from 380 to 800 kilometers, these missiles expand the arsenal available to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Prosecutors in Kharkiv reported in March that Russian forces have utilized North Korean missiles in Ukraine approximately 50 times since the commencement of the invasion. Specialist service NK News provided documentation, including instances involving a member of the Hwasong-11 missile family.
According to weapons experts, the North Korean missiles dispatched thus far exhibit comparable dimensions and flight characteristics to Russia’s Iskander series. A study conducted last year by the Center for Strategic and International Studies indicated that the US Patriot air defense system has proven largely successful in neutralizing Russian missiles.
Both South Korea and Japan, as allies of the US, deploy Patriot batteries. These air defense systems are equipped with robust radar capable of monitoring up to 100 targets, including cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and aircraft, as outlined in a report from the Congressional Research Service.
North Korea’s Alleged Arms Trade
The United States, along with South Korea, Japan, and European countries, have accused North Korea of supplying significant quantities of munitions to Russia. These munitions are compatible with the Soviet-era systems currently deployed in Ukraine. Despite numerous satellite images released by research organizations and the US government, both Moscow and Pyongyang have denied these allegations, which depict the flow of weapons from North Korea to Russia and then to ammunition depots near the Ukrainian border.
According to South Korean officials, in exchange for these arms, estimated to be worth several billion dollars, Russia is providing North Korea with food, raw materials, and components for weapons production. This arrangement has enabled North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to enhance food security and further advance his nation’s weapons capabilities.
Flynn expressed alarm over North Korea’s ongoing ballistic missile tests, describing them as both concerning and destabilizing. Just last week, Kim supervised the trial of a new ballistic missile intended to carry a hypersonic glide vehicle capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to US military installations in Japan and Guam.
